Past Day 9 and Feelin' Fine...Or Am I?

Just look at this picture; a lonely, barren vineyard. No grapes. There is something comforting about this view every time I drive past this winery. Is it that the vineyards and I have something in common? We're both dry? Or perhaps what's comforting is the barren vines represent upcoming vino ventures? The vino is in a barrel, waiting to make it's way to my palate.

I made a promise to myself in the hopes of finding some clarity. During this 90-day block of focused fitness and nutrition, I vowed to eliminate alcohol (specifically, but not limited to vino) for the duration of my umpteenth round of P90X. I made it past the 3rd day but not without the predicted depression, mood swings and agitation. While researching alcohol detox articles, I found whether you're a heavy or occasional drinker, if you decide to tackle the detox demon it takes about 2-5 days for the alcohol in your system to "vacate the premises".

That explains why on the 3rd day I was exceptionally sluggish and poopy; just in a real shitty mood. Fighting the urge to open a bottle after work and sip away as I cook my next masterpiece is pure hell. I currently have a mini "bottle" in the cupboard for the Risotto I have planned for next week. I normally use a cup of Pinot Gris the recipe calls for, and feel oh-so-at-home whilst mixing that Pinot with chopped garlic and onion. The smell! Absolute heaven. And since the bottle would be open and I'd have to stand at the stove for a good 45 minutes adding broth to the Risotto and mixing, mixing, mixing (Risotto, good Risotto, is a commitment), I'd pour myself a glass and sip while stirring. By the time dinner was ready, well, so was I!

And, here I sit, at a coffee shop nursing my replacement vice. I have taken a hiatus from alcohol and vino for the sake of clarity and fitness and replaced it with an Aztec/coffee type/Mexican Mocha at Cornerstone Coffee here in my new dreary hometown of McMinnville, Oregon. I understand the coffee addiction in the Pacific Northwest, the good ole PNW. I also understand the legal marijuana, wineries and microbreweries and the need for sun lamps. I may only be on day 14 with no alcohol, where typically a shitty day would turn into a half bottle of wine, a culinary work of art and me passing out full and happy, but I do see things differently through these "sober-glasses". What do I see? Well, shit. I'm someone who continues to look for the next thing! What's up ahead and around the corner will make me happy, I just know it. Then I get to said corner, take a peek around the way and I'm no different or no happier than I was just before I got to my destination. Is this realization due to sobriety or am I showing my years? I guess we'll all find out on day 90, what kinds of epiphanies I've had and what they mean, if anything. Until then, I'll keep working out, kicking ass in the kitchen, drinking coffee and probably having a few mental breakdowns along the way. Salud! Oh wait, never mind.

#sobreity #wine #vices #coffee #oregon #rain #alcohol